Manitou seeking solution to city’s longtime parking issues

Colorado Springs’ neighbor to the west has updated its streetscapes, attracted new retail shops and expanded its Cliff House Hotel, but it’s come up short on places for its many visitors to park.

To address the problem, the Manitou Springs Parking Authority has released two community surveys soliciting comment about how residents and commercial building users could benefit from “a more sophisticated” parking management system, said Economic Development Manager Kitty Clemens.

Parking has been a top issue decades, spurred by limited surface parking areas, steep streets, homes without driveways or garages, and few rear alleys in its central business district.

The newly-appointed Parking Authority Board is racing against the clock to have a plan in place prior to a busy summer tourism season.

“Manitou Springs is loved by many – at times it feels like too many”, said Val St. Cloud, Chairman of the Authority Board. “That’s good news, as our community is dependent on visitors. The bad news is we have not done a good job of managing and developing our parking assets.”

Parking space on Manitou Avenue could generate as much as $149,000 a year in sales or $408 per day, St. Cloud said.

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All interested parties are encouraged to submit a survey through the links below.

Hard copies of the survey are available at Manitou Springs City Hall, 606 Manitou Ave. or the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce, 354 Manitou Avenue. A copy of the parking management plan and the residential supplement to the plan is posted at www.manitouspringsahead.com under the “parking” button.